Another shooting happened this past week that directly targeted Christians. While most Christians seem primarily worried about the government restricting their use of arms through gun laws, I’m beginning to ask a few questions.
What if there was a better way to solve gun violence than through politics? I’m conservative, and certainly don’t like the thought of only the government being in control of weapons, but what if all that shouldn’t matter to us as Christians?
One Christian senator encouraged fellow Christians to carry personal weapons for self-defense. How does that line up with following Christ? Jesus healed the man his disciples struck with a sword in defense of Him.
Do Christians in America know the difference between being Christian and being American? It’s almost as if we believe the two are synonymous.
Trying to pass laws and change the world through politics certainly has potential, but it’s not the most effective way. The most self-protective, maybe. But not effective.
Jesus said whoever wishes to save his life in this age will lose it for all eternity. We have but a moment on this earth. James calls it a wisp of air. What if by spending our time trying to maintain our rights to carry arms we are losing our life for all eternity?
Think about it. A bunch of Christ-followers all up in arms because they’re afraid of losing the right to carry weapons.
Is this really just about shooting deer? And about shooting deer—are you doing it to stay alive? What if there was something more meaningful you could do with your life then spending hundreds of dollars and hours shooting deer?
Like engaging people who are most apt to go shoot students on college campuses?
We don’t like getting dirty. At least not Christians in America. We’d rather maintain our political rights so we can enjoy our freedoms and entertainments. Getting dirty changing lives? Nah!
One article read “The day Christians were martyred on American soil.” As if that’s an oxymoron. We can fathom people dying in China and Iran, but America?
I forgot, we’re a Christian nation.
What if we learned to rejoice at suffering for the sake of Christ? The New Testament talks about martyrdom as if it’s something worth envying for. That doesn’t negate the pain of losing a loved one as a martyr. But what if we began to see life more eternally, like Christians are supposed to? Would dying for the sake of Christ become something we count as a joy?
I think a better way to solve gun violence is to get involved in the work of Christ’s Great Commission.
Don’t settle for little political battles. Yes, pray about it! And if you get a chance, be a voice in the political field. But your energies as a Christian are better spent actually engaging people who want to kill others.
If you don’t, someone else will. And that someone else will likely only fuel their hatred.
And laws don’t change hatred.
Jesus does.
Question: What will it take for Christians in America to realize politics won’t bring the change we’re all looking for? Share your thoughts in the comments here.
